The persecution of Christians is worsening: one in seven lives under threat today

Just five years ago, international organizations warned of growing hostility toward Christians in various regions of the world. However, what then seemed like a worrying trend has now become an alarming reality. According to the most recent World Watch List by the Open Doors organization, more than 365 million Christians currently face high or extreme levels of persecution for their faith, up from 215 million in 2018.

The increase is notable: in percentage terms, it represents a growth of more than 70% in just five years. In 2018, it was estimated that one in twelve Christians suffered discrimination or violence based on religion; today, that figure rises to one in seven.

The figures also reflect an increase in direct violence. In the last year, more than 4,400 Christians were killed for their faith, up from around 3,000 recorded in the 2018 report. Attacks on churches and religious properties have also multiplied: more than 7,600 attacks were documented in 2024, a number that, although lower than in 2023, still far exceeds the records from five years ago.

The most affected regions remain sub-Saharan Africa, where extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State continue to attack Christian communities, and Asia, where authoritarian regimes in countries such as North Korea, China, and India are tightening religious restrictions.

Meanwhile, the international response remains limited. Organizations such as Open Doors, Aid to the Church in Need, and Amnesty International insist that religious persecution not only violates freedom of worship but has become an indicator of the deterioration of human rights in general.

Five years later, the outlook for persecuted Christians around the world has not only not improved, but also shows a profound decline in global religious freedom.